Mayor Adams hosts powerful Juneteenth celebration at Gracie Mansion

Mayor Eric Adams hosted a reception at Gracie Mansion, bringing together prominent leaders and community members to commemorate the end of slavery and reflect on the ongoing journey towards racial equity.

State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar delivered a heartfelt speech, highlighting her journey as the first Indian American woman elected to a New York State office.

“Happy Juneteenth, New York City. The struggle of Black Americans paved the way for all minority groups,” she proclaimed. Rajkumar emphasized the limitless potential of minority communities and called for continued efforts to address educational and social disparities.

“We’re not going to stop until every Black child knows how to read and until we end the plague of Black maternal mortality once and for all,” she vowed.

State Senator Kevin Parker captivated the audience with his dynamic address, celebrating the significance of Juneteenth as a symbol of delayed justice and Black perseverance.

“If we persist, we find out that we always win,” Parker declared. He credited local leaders for establishing Juneteenth as a state holiday before it was recognized federally, urging the community to remember and honor their own holidays.

“We are the people who were here the day before yesterday. We’re going to be here the day after tomorrow,” he affirmed.

Mayor Eric Adams took the stage to reflect on the city’s progress and the significance of Juneteenth. “Juneteenth is about resiliency, audacity, and never surrendering,” Adams stated. He highlighted the strides made in reducing Black unemployment, expanding broadband access for NYCHA residents, and improving education and housing outcomes.

“New York is not coming back. New York is back,” he declared, emphasizing the city’s recovery from the pandemic and the ongoing migrant crisis.

Adams proudly noted the diversity in his administration, celebrating the historic appointments of women and people of color to key positions. “When you look at our administration, you will see for yourself, we’ve got all of this chocolate running the city,” he quipped.

The mayor called for unity and continued efforts to combat systemic inequities, urging the community to support one another and pray for the city’s leadership.

The event underscored the enduring significance of Juneteenth and the collective responsibility to honor the legacy of those who fought for freedom and equality.

“Juneteenth is not about the end of physical slavery. It’s about the end of mental slavery,” Adams concluded. “Never again will we be enslaved physically or emotionally. Keep being what you are.”